In Focus: Scotland ace Gilmour can soar for new-look Seagulls

Billy Gilmour left Chelsea for Brighton in order to work with Graham Potter — but has seen the manager move in the opposite direction. 

After spending the 2021-22 season out on loan at Norwich, the 21-year-old was eager for more first-team action and felt his chances would be improved by leaving Stamford Bridge and joining Potter at the Amex Stadium. 

The Scotland international will instead work with new head coach Roberto De Zerbi after the Italian joined the Seagulls in the wake of his predecessor's move to Chelsea.

Ahead of Scotland’s crucial Nations League game against Ukraine, we take a look at what Gilmour brings to Brighton and how he can develop at his new club.

'He's not very lucky'

Scotland boss Steve Clarke sympathised with Gilmour’s situation at a press conference earlier this month. 

However, the midfielder’s international manager insisted it would be down to the player to make the best of his situation — and backed him to do so. 

He said: "He's not very lucky, Billy, is he? 

"I think Billy was set in his own mind he wanted to play more football and he didn't feel he was going to get that chance at Chelsea.

"Football can change very quickly as Billy has found out. But he has got everything to play for at Brighton.

"It will be down to Billy. His performances in training, his performances in the matches will dictate whether he gets picked to play for Brighton. 

"I know Billy well. He's a good character. He's determined to make a big career in football and we know he is one for us. We will give him every support we can."

Ball in the box

During Gilmour’s loan spell at Norwich, it became evident that the midfielder was particularly proficient at sending high-quality deliveries into the penalty area.

In the Premier League last season, only Milot Rashica attempted more crosses for the Canaries than Gilmour’s 98, while no player completed more than his total of 34. 

The youngster is dangerous both from open play and from set-pieces. 

With the likes of Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster to aim at, Gilmour’s crossing ability could prove exceptionally useful at Brighton.

Pinpoint passing

Gilmour is not so one-dimensional as to rely solely on crossing, though. 

His greatest quality is his ability to run the game with the ball from the centre of the park. 

In 2021-22, he ranked third among Norwich players for passes attempted (1,135) and completed (950) whilst boasting a team-leading 83.7% passing accuracy. 

The only two ahead of him were first-choice centre-back pairing Grant Hanley and Ben Gibson, who both played significantly more minutes and saw more of the ball as Norwich built from the back.

Gilmour’s impressive numbers are not the result of simply playing a high volume of safe passes, either — he uses the ball well when he has it. 

He also ranked third among Canaries players in the English top flight for final third passes completed (208) and chances created (25).

Those qualities will surely help Brighton in their bid to control games with the ball going forward.

Battling Billy

Gilmour’s talent shines brightest through his ability on the ball — but his work out of possession is equally impressive.

Brighton will not always be able to dominate possession against their opponents and the Scotland international is certainly not a passenger when his side are on the back foot. 

Only Pierre Lees-Melou won possession in the middle third more often than Gilmour (63 times) in the Premier League for Norwich last season, demonstrating the diminutive midfielder's battling qualities.

However, his youthful exuberance perhaps bubbles over on occasion. He committed 28 fouls in the league last term — only three Canaries players made more. 

De Zerbi will want to channel Gilmour’s hard graft and refine it to reduce the number of needless free-kicks against Brighton.

Future and development

As Clarke said in his press conference, a great deal of what happens next in Gilmour’s career trajectory is down to the player himself. 

The disappointment of missing out on the chance to work with the head coach he had his heart set on must not prevent him from grasping the opportunity he still has. 

If the ex-Chelsea man impresses his new boss De Zerbi and establishes himself in a high-functioning Brighton side, he will only improve as a player and perhaps even attract the attention of his former employers. 

It is difficult to judge the landscape at Brighton without Potter but — barring a remarkable change of direction from the new manager — the club have proven themselves a reliable proving ground for young talent. 

Even without Potter, Gilmour may find his experience on the South Coast just as magical as he had imagined it would be.